Power washer



AUS'- 25, 1959 o. M. ARNOLD 2,900,991

` POWER WASHER v Filed March 26, 1956 MMLW y United States Patent -Oliice POWER WASHER rlan M. Arnold, Grosse Pointe Park, Mich., assignorto Ajem Laboratories, Inc., Livonia, `Mich.

Application March v26, 1956, Serial No. 573,883

8 Claims. (Cl. 1134-64) The `present invention relates :to metal .processing apparatus vfor treating the surfaces of a workpiece with jets of a treating fluid yand more particularly i to improvements in apparatus of the type described and claimed in an application for United States Letters Patent of `Willard L. Johnson, Serial No. 571,415, filed March 1.4, 1956, and assigned to the same assignee.

Such apparatus may be used for `pickling, anodizing, or otherwise chemically treating a surface `or .surfaces of a workpiece, but is particularly adapted for `use `as a power washer for removing dirt or industrial Waste and residue from such `surfaces between processing operations. lFor example, the apparatus is adapted to clean the polished surfaces of a exible or rigid sheet, strip, lor other shape in `continuous webs or segmented `lengths thathave a generally linear form. The cleaning is accomplished by the erosive scouring action of liquid jets issuing `from liquid-distributing members arrangedat opposite `sides of and closely adjacent to the surfaces to be cleaned.

One ofthe objects of the-present invention is to provide an improved apparatus of `the type .indicated torsimultaneously impingingthesurfaces of a workpiece with jets of 4different uids. i

Another-object is toprovide an -apparatusof theftype indicated l'for impinging the surfaces of the workpiece with-jets of a gas as Well `as a liquid to produce aimultiphase of liquid and-gas bubbles which enhances -the acftion of the liquid in cleaning the surfaces, particularly `with certain kinds ofsoil.

Another object is to provide an apparatus in which the jets of luid are particul-arlyeffective in supporting the workpiece during -a cleaningor other processing operation.

Still another object `is to `provide ran improved Vapparatus which is of ksimple and `compact construction to adapt it `forieconornical Amanufacture and which -may -be easily serviced for .cleaning or repair, or lfor ythe substitution of orifice patterns.

In thisspecication and accompanyingdrawings `Ilhave `shown and described a npreferred embodiment Aof my `in- Vention and suggested various modifications thereof; but

it `is to `be understoodthatthese are not intended tobe c exhaustive nor `limitingof Athe invention, but on the contrary are given vforpuiposes of illustration in order that others skilled in the art may fully understand 'the invention and the principles `thereof vand the manner of .applying it in` practical `use so that theymay modify and .adapt it in various forms, each as may be best suited .to the .conditions of :a particular use.

In thegdrawingsz i Eig. lis .asectional viewtof aypower washerfincorpovrating .the ;noyel;features of the fpresent invention;

liig.` 2 `:is 4atsectional ,-p'lan view taken on lline. 2 2` of JEig. ils'tosshow the-"pattern oftorices in rthe oriceplate =of one of :theliquid-distributing fmembers;

1IFig. S lis an enlargedsectional View of vatportioni ofsa Patented Ang. 25, 1959 liquid-distributing member to show the detachable connection lbetween the air tubes, partition wall and the orilice plate; n

Fig. 4 is an `enlarged `sectional view of a liquid-distributing `member of `modified construction;l l

.Fig 5 is an` enlarged View of a still further modified construction for producing a jet of combined liquid and gas, and

`Fig 6 is a sectional view of a portion of a liquiddistributing member showing an orifice for producing an inclined zjet.

Fig. l `illustrates `an apparatus of general application for treating a workpiece W with jets of a treating uid, but `for purposes of description the apparatus will `be described asa power washer for cleaning thesurfaces thereof. `flhe apparatus comprises a tank .i6 hawfng a bottom Wall v7 andend walls 8 and 9 Ain the direction ofmovementof `the workpiece W. The 4back ywall lll and a rfront wall not shown) yextend upwardly beyond .the end walls and mountfbeams `1l. A lhood l2 extends between and along the ybeams. 11 and has .depending end .portions .ilSand :14- .which together with the front and :back `walls .enclose the ivorkngparts ofthe washer. The depending end portions 13 and 14 of the hood 12 ,extend belosvthe liquid level in the .tanki6 to :prevent the escape :of treating liquid from `the apparatus, and the end portions nave openings 15 `and lo to `p eirnit movement of the workpiece W therethrough.

.The workpiece :W is fedthrough the apparatus by sets of feed .rolls .19 and Zllwadjacent each `end thereof and V.the ffeed roils .aresupported by brackets 421 `depending .from sthe beams 11. juxtaposed liquidfldistribluting .elements :22..and .23 are :loc-ated between :the sets` .ci feed 1rolls.19 `and 20 at opposite lsides ofthe workpiece Each .of the liquid-,distributing members 2.2 and 23 has `altlat plate 24 located closely adjacent the workpiece ,W with orifices ,2S therein arrangedin a pattern to issue `.jets `of `the `cleaning liquid `for impinging all `areas `of the surfaces ,of the workpiece W. The liquid-distribut- Aing members 22 `and 23 also are supported by brackets 126 4depending from theurbeams 11. Liquid-distributing .members 22 .and Ztogether with the opposed .driverolls .of Leachset .19 .and 2,0 lare mounted on their supporting :bracketsli and `26, respectively, for .adjustment toward and .away lfrom .each `.other `to `:adapt them for ,a work- `.piecesYl/of any sizetor shape. As thus far described, the @apparatus is like `that .described and claimed Ain the yap,- .plicationicr rU.S. Letters Patent of Willard 1L. Johnson, `referred to above.

In .accordance .with the present invention, the `Huid- .idistr-ibuting ,members `22 and 23 are constructed toimpinge the surfaces -of the -workpiece W with jets of fluid including a gas as Well as a liquid. `Theliquid `and .gas lmay be delivered from .the liquid-.distributing members .22 andi23 in .separate jets `or as jets `of combined liquid 4and gas. `The liquid Aand gas may comprise treating chemicalsybut when the apparatus `is Yused as a power Ywasher, theliquid comprises a `Washing liquid such `as :Water or without a soap, `detergent and corrosion in- `hibitorand `the `gas is air. The jets of `liquid and vgas .produce a multipliase of liquid and gas bubbles on the surface of-the `worlqgiece Whichvhas been foundtobe particularly veliective in removing .certain `kinds of soil. Furthermore, thejets of gas are especially effective in supporting a tlexibleworkpiece ',Wduring its Apassage `beitween .the liquid-,distributing .members 22 and 2,'3 ,by-pro- `viding an :additional cushion on which vthe workpiece '.TdCS. i

.In .the embodiment of the invention illustrated inFigs the separate jets are arranged to produce an effec-tine multiphase action of gas and liquid bubbles over the entire surface of the workpiece. It is to be understood, however, that a multiple hind-distributing member may be used on one side of the workpiece only, preferably at the bottom, with a single fluid-distributing member on the top. Each multiple fluid-distributing member 22 or 23 is in the form of a box and, as illustrated, comprises a marginal frame 28 in the form of a finished casting having bosses 29. The side of the liquid-distributing member 22 or 23 adjacent the workpiece W is closed by the orifice plate 24 and the side remote from the workpiece W is closed by a cover plate 30. A partition wall 31 is provided in each liquid-distributing member 22 or 23 which divides it into an outer air chamber 32 and an inner liquid chamber 33. The division wall 31 may be formed las an integral part of the marginal frame 3@ with a portion 35 parallel with the orifice plate 24 and a portion 36 extending at right angles thereto. Partition ywall 31 has a liquid inlet opening 37 therein with a nipple 38 extending outwardly through cover plate 30 and a plurality of smaller openings 39 with tubes 40 depending therefrom, see Fig. 3. The upper ends of the tubes 40 project into the openings 39 and are attached to the partition wall 31 as by welding, brazing or the like.

The orifices 25 in the illustrated embodiments are formed by holes drilled through the orifice plate at right angle to its surfaces. In some applications it may be de- Orifices 25b connected by tubes 40 to the air chamber 32 issue jets of air against the surface of the workpiece W at high velocity. As will be observed by reference to Fig. 2, the orifices 25h connected to air chamber 32 are arranged in a pattern adjacent a plurality of orifices 25a from which the cleaning liquid issues. The air mixes with the cleaning liquid over the entire surface of the workpiece W to produce a multiphase of liquid and gas bubbles which augments the erosive cleaning action of the jets of liquid, especially with certain kinds of soil.

The two rows of orifices 25C beyond the partition wall 36 underlie the air chamber 32 and issue a curtain of highvelocity jets of air against the surface of the workpiece sirable to drill the orifice holes 25 at an acute angle to the surface of the orifice plate 24 to produce angular jets for tangential -impingement of the workpiece W and in other applications it may be desirable to provide a nozzle for producing a particular character of jet and such nozzle is preferably located at the interior of the liquid-distributing member, all of which are described and claimed in the copending application of Willard L. Johnson, Serial No. 571,415, referred to above. Certain of the orifices 25h are countersunk on the inner side of the plate 24 to receive the ends of the tubes 4i) depending from the partition wall 31 and a recess 42 is provided in the plate to receive the lower edge of the vertical portion 36 of the dividing wall 31. Preferably, gaskets 43 and 44 are provided between the ends of the tubes 4t) and edge of the wall portion 36 to seal the joints and provide detachable connections therebetween. The orifice plate 24 and cover plate are detachably connected to the open sides of marginal frame 28 by means of machine screws 45 or lthe like which are screwed into the tapped bosses 29 on the frame 28. The cover plate 30 has an opening 48 for `the nipple 38 and the joint therebetween is sealed by a ring 49 and packing 5t), see Fig. 4. Nipple 38, in turn, is connected through a pipe 51 to a source of cleaning liquid which is supplied to the inner liquid chamber 33 under pressure. The cover plate 30 has a second opening 52 connected by a pipe 53 to a source of air which is supplied under pressure to the other air chamber 32.

Orifices 25 are arranged in a pattern in the orifice plate 24 to impinge all surfaces of the Iworkpiece W with both cleaning liquid and air. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the orifices 25 are arranged in five rows in the portion of the orifice plate 24 underlying the chamber 33 and two rows underlying the chamber 32 at the left of the portion 36 of the partition wall 34. Each row of orifices 25 is spaced from the other rows in the direction of movement of the workpiece W and extends throughout the entire width thereof. The cleaning liquid at high pressure in chamber 33 issues from certain of the orifices 25a in high velocity jets which impinge the surf-aces of the workpiece with considerable impact to loosen and remove dirt, industrial waste and other residue by an erosive scouring action. Removed dirt is washed away with the cleaning liquid which fiows into the tank 6 at the sides of the workpiece W and liquid-distributing members 22 and 23. Dirt is separated from liquid in the tank 6 and the cleaning liquid is recirculated to continue the cleaning operation.

W. The curtain of air sweeps the cleaning liquid and removed dirt suspended therein rearwardly in the direction of movement of the workpiece W to further scour and dry the surfaces prior to engagement by the drive rolls 19. In other words, the air curtain insures the removal of all scale to prevent it from entering the bight of the drive rolls of the set 19 which might score the drive rolls or surface of the workpiece W.

The jets of liquid and gas impinge the opposite sides of the workpiece W with considerable force and the pattern and size of the orifices 25a, 2511 and 25C in the opposite liquid-distributing members 22 and 23 are so arranged as to balance the total forces and support the workpiece during its passage between the members. The liquid and air issuing from the orifices 25a, 25b and 25C provides a cushion of combined liquid and air especially at the underside of the workpiece W, on which the workpiece rides during its movement between the members 22 and 23. The cushion of air and liquid is especially effective in supporting the workpiece with less frictional drag than when liquid only is used.

Fig. 4 illustrates a liquid-distributing member 22 or 23 of modified construction in which a partition or division wall 60 extends across the entire area of the member to divide it into an inner liquid chamber 61 adjacent the workpiece W and an outer air chamber 62 overlying the inner chamber. The liquid-distributing member is formed by adjacent marginal frames 63 and 64 with the division wall 60 in the form of a plate located therebetween and closed on one side by an orifice plate 65 and on the other side by a cover plate 66. The parts are held in assembled relation by means of bolts 67 extending through the orifice plate 65, bosses 69 in marginal frame 64, intermediate division wall or plate 60, bosses 68 on marginal frame 63, and cover plate 66. The partition wall 60 has depending tubes 70 sealed thereto which align with countersunk recesses 71 surrounding certain of the orifices 72 in the orifice plate, as explained with respect to Fig. 3 of the drawing, to permit the orifice plate 65 to be detached for cleaning, repair, or substitution of an orifice pattern. The pattern of orifices 72a and 72b communieating with chambers 61 and 62, respectively, for cleaning liquid and air, may be the same as the pattern orifices 25a and 25h explained with reference to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. l-3. The two rows of orifices 71C for producing a curtain of air are connected to the air chamber 62 by tubes 70. Liquid is supplied at high pressure to the inner chamber 61 through the pipe 51 and nipple 38 connections of the same construction as described with respect to Fig. l, and airis supplied to the other chamber 62 by a pipe connection 53.

In some applications it may be desirable to issue jets of combined liquid and gas to further break up the liquid into high velocity drops and thereby increase the impact and erosive scouring action of the jets. Such a modified arrangement is illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawing in which tubes project from the air chamber 81 toward the orice plate 82 and have tapered ends 83 projecting into correspondingly shaped orifices 84 in spaced relation thereto. The annular space 85 between the tapered end 83 of the tube 80 and orifice 84 permits an annular ring of the high pressure liquid to issue from the orifice simultaneously with a jet of high pressure air from the end of the tube 80. The jet of high pressure air tends to break up the converging cone of liquid into high velocity drops for impinging the surface of the workpiece W with a high impact force. In some applications it may be desirable to supply both air and liquid at high pressure to a single chamber where the air and water mix in a homogeneous mass which issues from the oriiices to produce the same results.

It will now be observed that the present invention provides iiuid-distributing members of improved construction for impinging the surface or surfaces of the workpiece with jets of different fluids. It will further be observed that the present invention provides a iluiddistributing member for impinging the surface or surfaces of a workpiece with jets of a gas as well as a liquid, to produce a multiphase action of liquid and gas bubbles which enhances the cleaning operation with certain types of soil. It will further be observed that the present invention provides a fiuid-distributing member which is particularly effective in supporting the workpiece during its passage between members. It will still further be observed that the present invention provides an improved fluid-distributing member which is of .simple and compact structure adapted for economical manufacture and one which is easily and quickly dismantled for cleaning, repair or substitution of orifice patterns.

While several embodiments of the invention are herein illustrated and described, it will be understood that further modifications may be made in the construction and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, without limitation in this respect, the invention is defined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for treating surfaces of a workpiece by subjecting it to the multiphase scouring action of jets of liquid and gas comprising rectangular iuid-distributing boxes arranged at opposite sides of the workpiece and extending throughout the width and for a substan* tial distance along the workpiece, at least one of the fluid-distributing boxes having a continuous rectangular orifice plate overlying one side thereof land adjacent the workpiece, an outer closure plate and an intermediate partition cooperating with the orifice plate and closure plate to form separate chambers, the orifice plate being detachably mounted on the box and having a contour corresponding to the shape of the workpiece with a pattern of jet forming orifices therein, one of the chambers formed by the intermediate partition walls overlying at least a part of the orice plate and the other chamber overlying the first chamber, tubes extending from the intermediate partition wall in communication with the outer chamber and overlying certain of the orifices in the orifice plate, means for supplying liquid and gas, respectively, to the separate chambers of the fiuid-distributing member at high pressure which issue from the orifices in the form of jets of liquid and gas, yand means providing unrestricted iiow of liquid from the workpiece to cause the jets to directly impinge on the surfaces of the workpiece at high velocity to produce the multiphase scouring action of liquid and gas.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which at least a portion ofY the partition wall extends at right angles to the oritice plate to divide the box into liquid and air chambers in the direction of movement of the workpiece, and means for detachably connecting the orifice plate to the box and partition wall.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which at least a portion of the partition wall is parallel to the orifice plate to divide the box into a liquid chamber adjacent the orifice plate and an air chamber remote from the orifice plate, and the tubes extending from the remote chamber through the adjacent chamber to overlie at least some of the orifices in the orifice pl-ate.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 in which the tubes are connected in sealing engagement with the partition Wall and orifice plate to issue air and cleaning liquid in separate jets.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 in which the tubes project from the air chamber and have end portions projecting into at least certain of the orifices in spaced relation thereto to produce jets of combined liquid and a1r.

6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which the liquid-distributing box has a partition wall providing a chamber overlying a portion of the orifice plate and a second chamber overlying the first chamber and another portion of the orifice plate, tubes extending from the overlying chamber through the adjacent chamber in sealing engagement with at least some of the orifices in the oriiice plate, and means for feeding a cleaning liquid to the adjacent chamber overlying the orifice plate and air to the chamber overlying the adjacent chamber.

7. Apparatus in accordance with claim l in which the liquid-distributing member is formed by an inner orifice plate, an outer cover plate and an intermediate partition plate with marginal frames therebetween, means for supplying a liquid under pressure to the chamber formed between the orifice plate and intermediate plate, means for supplying air under pressure to the chamber formed between the intermediate plate and cover plate, and tubes extending between the intermediate plate and; orice plate in the last row of orifices in the orifice plate in the direction of movement of the workpiece.

8. Apparatus for simultaneously treating a surface of a workpiece with a cleaning liquid and air comprising fluid-distributing members in the form of boxes arranged at opposite sides of the workpiece and closely adjacent thereto, means for feeding the workpiece between the fluid-distributing members, the plates of the fiuid-distributing members adjacent the workpiece having a contour corresponding to the shape of the workpiece and a pattern of jet forming orifices therein, at least one of said fluid-distributing boxes having a partition wall to divide it into separate chambers, one of the chambers overlying at least a part of the orifice plate and the second chamber overlying the first chamber, certain of the orifices communicating directly with the chamber directly adjacent thereto, tubes in sealing engagement with the partition wall and orice plate around the other oriiices therein, means for feeding a cleaning liquid to one of Said chambers and air to the other chamber at high pressure which issues from the orifices in separate jets, Iand means providing unrestricted flow of liquid from the workpiece to cause the jets to directly impinge on the surface of the workpiece at high. velocity to produce a multiphase action of liquid and gas bubbles thereon,

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 103,371 Reynolds May 24, 1870 141,837 Urban Aug. 12, 1873 1,791,101 Manion Feb. 3, 1931 1,978,721 Perkins Oct. 30, 1934 1,998,192 Haswell Apr. 16, 1935 2,622,428 Abbott Dec. 23, 1952 

